US VP Pence heads to Europe on reassurance tour

ByREUTERS

February 17, 2017 07:05

WASHINGTON - US Vice President Mike Pence will seek on Saturday to soothe allies unnerved by his boss' unorthodox statements on Russia and NATO as he stresses America's commitment to Europe during the first major foreign address for the Trump administration.

Pence will tell the annual Munich Security Conference that Europe is an "indispensable partner" for the United States, a message he will repeat privately in meetings with a dozen leaders over the weekend and on Monday, a senior White House foreign policy adviser told reporters.

"We are the most secure and most prosperous when both the US and Europe are strong and united," the adviser said, previewing Pence's trip.

President Donald Trump alarmed allies during his campaign for office by breaking with traditional Republican views on the transatlantic relationship.